BEST BETS

folk

lynn saxberg Singer Heather Walsh, a former civil servant and broadcaster, and musician John MacDonald, a luthier, are regulars at open mic sessions around the city. Now they’ve evolved into a band called Dreamin’ Ways as indie recording artists with the release of their debut CD, Love in a Hard World, recorded live at Irene’s Pub. They return to the Bank Street pub on Friday to launch the disc. The music starts around 9:30 p.m. with an opening set by Natalia and Montuno. Admission is $10 at the door.

theatre

patrick langston Sample the vital and often surprising independent theatre

scene at undercurrents: theatre below the

mainstream, running Feb. 5-17 at the Great Canadian Theatre Company. The annual event features six short plays from Ottawa and elsewhere, each performed five times during the festival. Some shows are new, while others, including the excellent Little Orange Man, have played the Ottawa Fringe Festival. Tickets: GCTC box office, 613-236-5196, gctc.ca.

music

peter hum When jazz guitar heavyweight

John Scofield has played Ottawa in recent years, he has tended to bring his funkier self to Confederation Park, playing New Orleans-based gospel music and jam band fare during his last two visits. But on Feb. 6, Scofield plays Gatineau’s Maison de la culture (855 boul. de la Gappe) with his jazz trio that includes bassist Scott Colely and drummer Bill Stewart. The music starts at 8 p.m. and admission is $44. Montreal pianist Rafael Zaldivar opens.

classical

steven mazey In a feast for piano buffs on Sunday, David Jalbert performs Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque, Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Concert is at 2 p.m., Tabaret Hall, 550 Cumberland St. (music. uOttawa.ca). On Feb. 6 and 7, Yefim Bronfman joins the NACO and conductor Pinchas Zukerman to perform Brahms’ spectacular Piano Concerto No. 1. 8 p.m. naccna.ca